NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 126: Flying Cauldron
With Xue Qiang still in his arms, Feng Fan spoke softly. "Feng Fan? Since when did you start calling me by my name?"
Xue Qiang didn't answer right away. Instead, she took a deep breath, savoring his scent, her face faintly blushing.
Feng Fan noticed and chuckled, his hand shifting from her back to her head as he gently ran his fingers through her hair.
"Come on," he said warmly. "We've got a competition to win. After this, I'm heading back to the White Crow Sect with all of you."
Xue Qiang nodded, nuzzling her head lightly against his chest before stepping back.
"Alright," she replied, her tone soft but dangerous. "But if you disappear again, don't expect me to forgive you next time."
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Feng Fan wasn't sure if he should take it as a threat or not, so he offered a wry smile.
Elder Jiang, standing awkwardly beside Feng Fan, felt completely out of place. 'Don't youngsters these days have any sense of shame?' he thought, his expression twitching.
Just as he was about to scold them for their public display, another figure emerged from the crowd of disciples.
"Feng Fan…" A soft but cold voice called out.
Feng Fan turned to see Huang Xue, her face as aloof as ever, though her gaze held a subtle sharpness. Yet, within her mind, Feng Fan could hear her true thoughts.
'I missed you too… I also want a hug…'
The contrast between her stoic expression and inner longing made Feng Fan chuckle softly.
"Hey, Huang Xue. Long time no see," he said, stepping forward and pulling her into a hug.
Huang Xue stiffened slightly at first, her cheeks flushing faintly as she felt the weight of everyone's eyes on them. But she didn't resist. Instead, she stood still, letting herself enjoy the moment, her heart racing despite her outward calm.
"Aren't you two a bit too close?" Xue Qiang asked, her voice filled with irritation.
Huang Xue recalled Song Shu's advice and was about to fire back, but before she could, Elder Jiang cut through the tension, interrupting their love triangle.
"That's enough of a reunion, you three," he said sternly. "Save your playful antics for when we're back at the White Crow Sect."
Feng Fan let go of Huang Xue and stepped back, nodding in acknowledgment of Elder Jiang's words.
Xue Qiang, still visibly annoyed, chose to hold her tongue. She was too happy to see Feng Fan after four months and didn't want to ruin the moment.
"Elder Jiang, I heard there are four categories in the competition," Feng Fan said, steering the conversation back to the matter at hand. "Which one starts first?"
Elder Jiang glanced at him and replied calmly, "Don't worry. An elder from the Dao Seeking School will arrive soon to explain the rules and schedule."
They didn't have to wait long before another elder arrived, different from the one who oversaw the competition for the Mao Empire.
Unlike the previous elder, this one had a clearly displeased expression. "My name is Yin Bao," he announced curtly.
"I will preside over the Young Generation Competition for the Qian Empire. Each category will have a separate judge working alongside me. We will begin with the alchemy competition. Each sect is allowed to send up to five disciples for this competition. Those participating, step forward."
After Yin Bao's announcement, five cultivators from each sect stepped forward. With over a hundred sects participating, the sheer number of contestants was staggering.
Feng Fan scanned the group representing the White Crow Sect and immediately spotted a familiar figure—Tan Wei.
A grin spread across Feng Fan's face. 'With the protagonist and an Alchemist God in the mix, how could we lose? The first place in the alchemy category is practically guaranteed,' he thought confidently.
Yin Bao's expression darkened further as he glanced at the cultivators from the Qian Empire. 'How can they be so weak?' he thought, barely masking his disdain.
Despite his displeasure, he maintained his composure and continued with the procedures.
"Those not directly participating will remain here in the plaza. Screens will broadcast the competition for you to watch. As for the participants, follow me to the competition grounds."
With that, Yin Bao flew through the air toward a nearby mountain. The participants quickly prepared themselves, summoning their weapons to follow after him.
For Foundation Establishment cultivators, flight without the aid of weapons was impossible. Only upon reaching the Golden Core Formation realm could they soar unaided through the skies.
Most cultivators took to the skies on swords, their gleaming blades serving as their means of flight. But Feng Fan's attention was drawn to something far more intriguing—Tan Wei.
Instead of a conventional weapon, Tan Wei summoned an enormous cauldron. He flipped it upside down, stepped onto its base, and ascended gracefully into the sky.
Feng Fan's eyes widened in amazement. 'A flying cauldron? That's neat!' he thought, a grin spreading across his face.
After the participants arrived in a big room, no smaller than the plaza where Feng Fan was, giant screens materialized all around the plaza, broadcasting the participants from the alchemy category.
The room was filled with numerous tables, each paired with a single chair. On every table lay a sheet of paper and a pencil, neatly arranged and ready for use.
At the front stood an elder with an amicable smile. "Good morning, young alchemists, my name is Zhou Xiu. I'll be the judge for the alchemy category. It will be divided into two parts."
All the participants focused on Zhou Xiu. Some were visibly anxious, others wore expressions filled with determination, but none appeared at ease.
Tan Wei tried to keep his composure. Although he knew he was well-prepared, a hint of nervousness still lingered.
In his mind, the voice of Lai Hu, the Alchemy God, echoed sternly. 'Kid, I won't assist you here. I expect nothing less than first place. Don't disgrace my name!'
Tan Wei nodded.
"In the first stage," Zhou Xiu explained, "you will each receive a selection of herbs. Your task is to identify them and propose one or more pills that can be crafted using those herbs. Only the top one hundred participants will advance to the next round."
At Zhou Xiu's words, dozens of disciples from the Dao Seeking School stepped forward, each carrying a sack filled with herbs.
Every herb was carefully stored in a jade bottle to preserve its medicinal properties and prevent any contamination or degradation.
Each disciple from the Dao Seeking School positioned themselves in front of ten tables.
"Please, take any seat you prefer," Zhou Xiu announced. "The order of herbs is the same for all tables, so your choice doesn't matter."
Once all participants had settled into their seats, Zhou Xiu continued, "Although you are here as a group of five representing your sect, remember—this is an individual competition. Your scores will be calculated separately. Are there any questions?"
He scanned the room, allowing a moment for anyone to speak up. The participants remained silent.
After a few seconds of silence, Zhou Xiu nodded and continued, "Very well. I wish you all the best of luck! With that, I officially declare the start of the Young Generation Competition!"